Our Story

Delehanty Funeral Home was founded in 1949 by Thomas and Lorraine Delehanty. The original funeral home was in the Weldon Farm house at the southwest corner of North Second Street and Merrill Avenue. The funeral home remained in its first location until 1955 when it was moved around the corner to our current location at 401 River Lane.

Tom and Lorraine operated Loves Park’s first ambulance service until 1971. From 1950 to 1961 the funeral home served as Loves Park's first police and fire communications center. Calls were directed to the funeral home and answered by either Tom or Lorraine. Information was then forwarded to the local police or fire department. Over the years many stories were exchanged and many cups of coffee were shared with Loves Park policemen, firemen and a multitude of friends in the second floor kitchen of the Delehanty home on River Lane.

The funeral home facilities remained the same from 1955 to 1970, but as the community grew, and with Tom and Lorraine's dedication and involvement in the community and funeral profession, an addition was built in 1970 to the northeast side of the building, adding over 2,500 square feet. In 1984 an additional 2,500 square foot addition was added on the southeast side of the building, in keeping with the continued growth of the funeral home and the Loves Park community. We have the largest facilities in the area with over 10,000 square feet of chapel, arrangement area and office space and seating for 300.

The funeral home is now managed by their grandson, Garrett Lizer, who joined the firm in 2014. We are also extremely proud of our dedicated staff which includes, Tim Conway, who has been with the funeral home since the 1980s, Rebecca VanZuiden who has been with us since the 1990s, and Joe Trapani who joined us in the 2000s.

The dedication and commitment of Delehanty Funeral Home to the people of this community, the cities of Loves Park, Machesney Park and Greater Rockford area has not changed over the past 70 years and will not change in the future.

The family and staff of Delehanty Funeral Home are committed to the families we have served and will serve in the future.